BRIEF GUIDE TO GREEK MYTH_A. (Stephen Kershaw)

This work is a uniquely authoritative yet lightly handled examination of the key tales in the corpus of Greek mythology. Making extensive reference to the original source material the book explores the resonance and relevance of these fascinating and influential tales, both to the Ancient Greeks and to the twenty-first century. The book leads the reader through these vibrant stories, from the origins of the gods through to the homecomings of the Trojan heroes. All the familiar narratives are here, along with some less familiar characters and motifs. In addition to the tales, the book explains key issues arising from the narratives, and discusses the myths and their wider relevance. This long-overdue book crystallises three key areas of interest: the nature of the tales; the stories themselves; and how they have and might be interpreted. For the first time, it brings together aspects of Greek mythology only usually available in disparate forms - namely children's books and academic works. There will be much here that is interesting, surprising, and strange as well as familiar. Experts and non-experts, adults, students and schoolchildren alike will gain entertainment and insight from this fascinating and important volume.